10 Sales and Marketing Tips I learned from Strippers

a fascinating article a friend from LA sent me yesterday...

Written by WiseCamel.com

Like you, I like strippers.

However, I generally find myself leaving the strip club with an empty wallet. Any business that can get you to spend all of your money is a good one to be in. But while walking out of a club one evening, I realized that a big reason they have such a good business is because strippers are such great sales people. It is not simply due to the fact that they are selling to stupid, horny men like myself, but because they use a lot of highly effective sales and marketing techniques.

You too can achieve great success by applying sales and marketing techniques of strippers.

CLICK HERE FOR THE FULL STORY

An Agenda for Growth in Turbulent Times: HBS Professor Ranjay Gulati

I thought you all might find this of interest

Harvard Business School Professor Ranjay Gulati reveals how "resilient" companies, those that prosper in good times and bad, are driving growth and increasing profitability by immersing themselves in the lives of their customers.

 

To achieve growth in today’s volatile economy requires leveraging more than just traditional assets. Intangible assets in the form of customer relationship management, branding, organizational design, along with traditional assets like property rights, have become important pillars of competitive advantage. Today, firms are witnessing dramatic shifts in the competitive landscape with intensified competition, increasing commoditization of offerings and are rushing to cut costs across the board. At the same time there are some others who view this time as opportune to break away from the pack and move forward.  

 

Wednesday, October 27, 2010 at 6:30 pm

 Location: Bain & Company, 3 Times Square, 25th Floor, New York, NY 10036 
 Time: 6:30pm Registration, 7:00 pm Program 
 Cost:  $15 Members; $35 Non-members & Guests; please register by 3pm on Tuesday, October 26th, 2010.
 Organizer:  Kal Bittianda ’97
 Location Sponsor:  Bain & Co.

 

 

CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFO

Ultralight startups launch businesses with little money

from clarkhoward.com

Is there a frustrated entrepreneur in you? Try harnessing the power of the Internet to launch a business on the cheap by doing what's referred to as an "ultralight startup."

Clark talks to so many would be entrepreneurs who just don't know how to get things going because money is hard to come by. In fact, this is really the hardest that Clark can recall in his lifetime. Ultralight startups, on the other hand, leverage every creative technique and modern use of the Internet to do everything free or very low cost.

FOR THE FULL STORY CLICK HERE

DO YOU HAVE A LONG-TERM PRICING STRATEGY?

Interesting article from McKinsey Quarterly

Actively pricing products across their life cycle is increasingly important, particularly in innovation-intensive industries. Failing to do so may forego potential profits or even destroy value.

OCTOBER 2010 • Walter L. Baker Michael V. Marn, and Craig C. Zawada

Source: Marketing & Sales Practice

CLICK HERE FOR THE FULL STORY

Chef Michael and his pride and joy!

Official Class Photo v1

Official Class Photo v2

SBA LOAN INFO courtesy of Angela Price (the Rumcake Queen)

 

 

Dear Fasttrac colleagues,

 

The following breakdown of the Small Business Jobs Act is great news for all of us.

In addition, I am including two sources of capital for your business. 

 

The Small Business Jobs Act, signed by President Obama on September 27, will provide critical resources to help small businesses continue to drive economic recovery and create jobs.  The new law extends the successful SBA Recovery loans while offering billions more in lending support and tax breaks for entrepreneurs and small business owners.  

 

FOR THE COMPLETE REPORT CLICK HERE

 

www.seedcofinancial.org

Contact: Aisha T. Benson

Tel:        212-994-2700

email:    abenson@seedco.org

Note: Businesses for this loan program must have revenues of $150,000 per year and over.

 

www.StrategiesForSmallBusiness.com

Contact:   Sue Malone

Tel:           925-899-8449

email:       smalone165@aol.com

Note: These loans max out at $25,000 and fall under the SBA Express loan fund category.

 

Warm regards,

Angela Price

www.rumcake.com

The perfect gift for any time, any reason, any season...

updates from Melea

Internet resources from Melea:

Websites

Do you need a site developed, graphic design, branding, logo design, iPhone apps, iPad developers, etc? I have a stable of creative folks and firms I have worked with. I can send you recommendations. 

Social Media Tools Resource List

Social Media Tips - There is a lot here on Twitter, Twitter Directories, and more. 

Some Web Tools and Some More Web Tools 

The US Media On Twitter. - It's not everybody, but it's a lot of the US Media - able to be sorted alpha by news outlet. This is super helpful. 

On Twitter Chat  and Hash Tags - How to follow a conversation using a hashtag

Paper.li - The Daily Paper -- You can create your own 'newspaper' using Twitter. You provide the subject, daily paper produces the content using algorithms and twitter. Every day. It's cool. And the creative potential of using this is limitless. 

New Tool I have my eye on: kommons.com - It's like Meet The Press meets Twitter. It's interesting. 

Tools (google these). This list isn't everything, but it is the top of the iceberg - you should be somewhat familiar with the kinds of social tools out there. They are the building blocks around creating your strategy. 

FLICKR: Creative Commons is a great resource for free images. 

Read this: 

How to Use Flickr: Creative Commons images On Your Site. FOR FREE. This was written in 2007, but I haven't found a better how-to or why-to guide since. 

SEO Tools 

The attachment SEO School is somewhat simplified and a bit dated, but for your purposes should be super helpful. It's a 40-page e-book. It's from Naomi Dunford over at IttyBiz. 

Watch this video by Matt Cutts (who works at GOOGLE) and blogs with Wordpress. 

Online Press Releases (also great for SEO). 24-7pressrelease.com etc. http://www.free-press-release.com/ There are a lot of these services. 

Moderated Meetup Groups on a particular topic http://www.meetup.com

Join our new Facebook page

JOIN US ON FACEBOOK!

http://www.facebook.com/groups/create.php#!/group.php?gid=159013737452084

NY XPO for Business is coming October 20th

5th Annual New York XPO For Business

Wednesday, Oct 20 9:00a to 5:00p

at Jacob K. Javits Convention Center, New York, NY

THE BUSINESS EVENT OF THE YEAR! Network with 15,000 business owners & professionals from across the region on October 20th at the Javits Center. This FREE event is the largest B2B marketplace in the Northeast, featuring special events, 300 exhibits and 30+ educational workshops. Don't miss this rare opportunity to improve your business in 20-10.

CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFORMATION AND REGISTRATION

From David "Nasty Pig" Lauterstein

Advertising Gets Friended in Social Media as Key Source for Connecting with Youth Culture, New Study Reveals

October 5, 2010, Los Angeles, CA—Fresh data revealing social networking patterns and preferred types of advertising among 13-25-year-olds across the United States shows that 58.1% of the youth marketplace let corporate brands become friends/followers on their social network profiles—a percentage that has increased in the last 2 years. Percentages are slightly higher among males compared with females, and peak among specific age groups.

What this indicates is the importance of brands that can successfully become a part of the lifestyle of youth markets as young people friend such brands as a status symbol, recognizing their credibility. This also illustrates the importance and on-going race for youth brands to become ingrained in lifestyle elements of the marketplace, including social media, as an important point of connection. On the flip side of this however, is the careful line drawn if this savvy marketplace suspects anything that smacks of insincerity.

This information, along with preferred types of advertising, the most effective sponsorship measures, and viral marketing, are a part of the “Advertising and Sponsorship Report” in Label Networks' Fall Youth Culture Study, illustrating how youth culture is connecting with brands today in America.

“Quantifying and seeing the shifts in advertising that are most effective and least effective makes this Study a vital tool towards integrating with this new generation of consumers,” explains Tom Wallace, President of Label Networks, producers of the Study and a leader in global youth culture intelligence and research-based branding strategies. “Aspects such as effective social networking and advertising, viral marketing via preferred types of sponsorship, and how, where, and why youth culture connects with some brands and not others, provides invaluable insight especially when navigating today’s difficult economy.”

Often touted as the favorite Youth Culture Study of Label Networks’ seasonal trio of primary data and analysis of consumer insights, including the Spring and Summer Youth Culture Studies, the Fall Study includes many sections such as Advertising and Sponsorship that brands find very timely especially when planning for the following year.

Other key aspects of the Fall Youth Culture Study includes the Green Marketing and Humanitarian section covering marketing, volunteerism, and non-profits, an entire section devoted to Action Sports and the changing Size of Markets, plus changes in spending and preferred brands in Fashion, Footwear, T-shirts, and Denim.

Highlights from the Advertising and Sponsorship Effectiveness Report in the Fall Youth Culture Study 2010 include:

• Preferred Types of Advertising and Least Preferred Types plus Differences by Gender and Age Groups
• Best Ways Youth Market Feels Brands Can Connect with Them
• Social Networks and Corporate Brands and Which Demographics are Most Effected by Various New Media Campaigns
• Best and Fastest Ways that Youth Market Passes Along Information, including News, Advertising, Trends
• Culture Jamming, Street Art Marketing, and Viral Marketing that Resonate with Youth Culture Today
• Green Marketing through Eco and Humanitarian Initiatives, including Top Concerns, Non-Profits, Eco-Fashion, Volunteerism, Rebels through Making a Difference
• The Best ONE Thing a Sponsor Can Do to Grab Youth Market’s Attention
• Effects of Sponsorship Effectiveness including Retention, Pass-along Rate

Results in the Study are provided in colorful charts and graphs, by topline, then cross-tabulated by gender, and again by 4 different age groups. Comparative analysis written in “Macro Trend” editorials by Label Networks’ Youth Culture Experts provide a quick snapshot of key findings, including historical analysis, visuals, and pull-quotes for fast, effective, understanding.

For businesses looking to maximize their advertising, marketing, and sponsorship strategies as they pertain to the youth marketplace, Label Networks’ Fall Youth Culture Study 2010, including the Advertising and Sponsorship Report, provides the most timely and insightful information available for brands and agencies planning fresh campaigns that connect and resonate with this new generation. For subscription information, email info@labelnetworks.com; or call (323) 630-4000.

The margin of error for the data in the Fall Youth Culture Study 2010 is less than 2.5% at a confidence level of 95%.

About Label Networks:

Label Networks, Inc. is a leading global youth culture marketing intelligence and brand strategy company that measures the most trendsetting subcultures in the world. Since 2000, Label Networks has created Global Youth Culture Studies and topical Profile Reports based on Label’s proprietary methods to gain constantly fresh quantitative and qualitative data utilizing a combination of remote data-acquisition and analysis systems, and a unique network of Global Youth Culture Experts and Analysts. The results offer scientific and intuitive information, which Label Networks uses as the basis for brand strategies to connect today’s original thinkers in branding, marketing, and sponsorship to the youth marketplace. Some clients include: Apple Computer, Timberland, Dickies, Bauer, Airwalk, Kia, Columbia, LogiTech, Dr. Pepper, Sunkist, SkullCandy, 7-11, RedBull, Coca-Cola, New Balance, Fuel TV/Fox Sports, Footlocker Europe, Oakley, The North Face, ZICO Coconut Water, Vans Warped Tour. Contact: Label Networks, Inc., 548 South Spring St. #PH9, Los Angeles, CA 90013; (323) 630-4000; info@labelnetworks.com; www.labelnetworks.com.

NEW YORK ENTREPRENEUR WEEK (NYEW)
NOVEMBER 8th - 12th, 2010 | Scholastic Auditorium

BE DRIVEN

With over 25,000 innovators in our community, New York Entrepreneur Week (NYEW) is the premier movement dedicated toward promoting a single belief: entrepreneurs change the world.

NYEW is a semi-annual event built for entrepreneurs by entrepreneurs, providing an exclusive educational experience for innovation-minded start-ups to multi-million dollar revenue generators.

UNSURPASSED VALUE

The New York Entrepreneur Week movement gives you the opportunity to actively engage the foremost entrepreneurs, investors and dealmakers both in the state and from around the world. NYEW is the largest statewide movement providing an exclusive educational experience for all entrepreneurs- from enterprising young idea-stage innovators to hundred million dollar revenue generators.

With over 100 speakers from 40 cities, 15 states and 3 continents, NYEW unites the state's diverse entrepreneurial community; giving you the opportunity to connect with and learn from New York's best and brightest entrepreneurs who are relentless, driven and dedicated to improving your business and the economy. View the full agenda here.

Entrepreneurs catapult economies to greater success. We are the catalysts for conquering today's harsh economic challenges. We are the leaders that will turn economic adversity into opportunity. To take part in the entrepreneurial revolution, join us and attend New York Entrepreneur Week.

LIMITED QUANTITIES AVAILABLE!
(EARLY-BIRD PRICING UNTIL 10/15/10)

Save 66% off with Coupon Code: NYEW345

Click here to Join the Revolution at NYEW

DISTINGUISHED SPEAKERS INCLUDE

Panels Include:
· 4BN in Value Created - Top Entrepreneurs Reflect
· Venture Capital vs. Angel vs. Seed Investing
· Purpose for Profit - Socialism and Capitalism and Not at Odds
· The Company: Your Story - Why Stories are the Most Powerful Weapon of CEO's,
Entrepreneurs and Founders Around the World
· Serial Entrepreneurs: Re-writing the Landscape in Multiple Industries IS Insane!
· Living on the Edge - The James Bond Entrepreneur Lifestyle
· Entrepreneurship - Understanding the Inherent Risks


Click Here to Explore Riveting Talks from NYEW April ‘10

Bookkeeping Course

Bookkeeping (Made Fun & Easy!) for Small Business

Greetings Colleagues, Clients, Friends and Associates!

The RMG Group is making a presentation geared toward the owners of small companies, start-ups, and sole proprietors who would like a brief introduction to the basics of bookkeeping.

We will answer the Who-What-Where-When-Why-How of getting a system in place, and maintaining it. Can I do my own bookkeeping? When should I have someone else do it? How often? What does all this cost? Why should I care?

Come see this brief, informative and fun presentation about the basics of small business bookkeeping --- and take the stress out of counting your money.

Details

Wednesday, October 13, 2010 at 6:00 pm
Science, Industry and Business Library (SIBL)
188 Madison Avenue (34th Street)
New York City
Event notice on the Library website (copy into your browser):

http://www.nypl.org/events/programs/2010/10/13/bookkeepingmade-fun-easyfor-small-business

Please feel free to forward this information to anyone you think might be interested.

We look forward to seeing you there!

With best regards,
Chara

Chara McGill
President
The RMG Group, Inc.

Dawn Fotopulos of "Best Small Biz Help"

Dawn is the founder of SmallBizHelp.com and is one of two leaders in our class "FastTrac - GrowthVenture" at the Levin Institute this past month.

As a senior executive, entrepreneur, management consultant, and college professor, Dawn has successfully launched over eighty different businesses and product lines in six different industries over the last twenty years. Her mission now is to help small business owners thrive in any kind of economic environment through the online video library. She and her team teach entrepreneurs and solopreneurs everything they need to know in as short a time as possible. This treasure trove of dozens of 7-10 minute training videos are designed to equip the small business owner who has subject matter expertise, but has probably long forgotten the business basics. They've counseled Fortune 1000 companies and now work with small business owner to improve the probability of success.

CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFO

Business Loans vs Lines of Credit

Line of Credit Loans and Fixed Short Term Personal Loans Compared

Many people use short term personal loans for a number of different purposes. In this area, you could potentially get a line of credit or a fixed short term personal loan. Both options have some benefits and drawbacks associated with them. Here are the basics of each type of loan.

CLICK HERE FOR THE COMPLETE STORY

GoogleAnalytics

What is Leadership?

from McKinsey Quarterly

THE BEST LEADERSHIP MODEL: YOURSELF

Two new articles and the results of a McKinsey Global Survey point to
why the personal strengths and values we draw from our own lives can
produce the best leadership traits in the workplace and beyond.

HOW CENTERED LEADERS ACHIEVE EXTRAORDINARY RESULTS
Executives can thrive at work and in life by adopting a leadership model
that revolves around finding their strengths and connecting with others.
http://e.mckinseyquarterly.com/16f63c41dlayfousubiowxgiaaaaaatxqjhtccqiwtyyaaaaa

THE VALUE OF CENTERED LEADERSHIP: MCKINSEY GLOBAL SURVEY RESULTS
The five key capabilities that make up centered leadership--used
together--are important predictors of executives' satisfaction with
their leadership performance and their life overall.
http://e.mckinseyquarterly.com/1912e9ea0layfousubiowxgqaaaaaatxqjhtccqiwtyyaaaaa

REVEALING YOUR MOMENT OF TRUTH
Management thinker Stan Slap argues that the best leaders inspire their
teams by bringing their values to work.
http://e.mckinseyquarterly.com/1723aaaf4layfousubiowxgyaaaaaatxqjhtccqiwtyyaaaaa

Go See "The Social Network"

Just got back from seeing "The Social Network" with my 19 year old daughter...and we both loved it...interesting story...particularly from the standpoint of an entrepreneur.

Check out the film website:

http://www.thesocialnetwork-movie.com/

anyone else seen it?

-Bill

Brand Loyalty

Courtesy of none other than David Lauterstein our very own Nasty Pig!

Interesting Biz Publication web sites

Business on Main http://businessonmain.msn.com/default.aspx

Entrepreneur Magazine http://www.entrepreneur.com/

Inc. Magazine http://www.inc.com/

FastCompany magazine http://www.fastcompany.com/

BNET http://www.bnet.com/

WSJ Small Business http://online.wsj.com/public/page/news-small-business-marketing.html

Toilet Paper Entrepreneur http://www.toiletpaperentrepreneur.com/home/index.php

Updated Jeri Map

Who is Levin?

The Levin Institute was established by the State of New York, under the auspices of the State University of New York. It is named for Neil D. Levin, Executive Director of the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, who perished in the attack upon the World Trade Center on September 11, 2001. The Institute is a division of the SUNY Office of Global Affairs.

A native New Yorker and a product of New York schools, Mr. Levin was a leader in business, banking, and insurance at the state, national and international levels. Through his leadership of the Port Authority, he served at the focal point of international commerce, not only as landlord of the World Trade Center complex, but as operator of New York's major airports, port facilities, bridges and tunnels.

Prior to his appointment as Executive Director of the Port Authority, Mr. Levin served as Superintendent of Banks and Superintendent of the New York State Insurance Department.

During his broad career in the private sector, at Goldman Sachs, and in public service, he served as chairman of the Federal Home Loan Bank of New York, a director of the Federal Agricultural Mortgage Corporation (Farmer Mac), and a member of the Freddie Mac Advisory Committee.

NYWIFT Events

Here is an example of some of the things we might want to post here. NYWIFT (New York Women in Film & Television) host interesting events, many of which are open to non members. Anne Sweeney, for example, is a smart, successful and well respected executive and happens to be co-chair, Disney Media Networks, and president, Disney/ABC Television Group, which includes The Walt Disney Company's global entertainment and news television properties, owned television stations group, as well as radio and publishing businesses.

http://www.nywift.org/newsletter.aspx?id=2643

Tell us about yourself

Tell us a little about yourself...maybe there is stuff you'd like the class to know about you...your interests, your business, your hobbies, stuff like that. I will try to get mine up soon!

Welcome to our Blog

Greetings Everyone!

Since I have a busy weekend, I wanted to get this up and running as soon as possible. In addition to providing links to our own Facebook and LinkedIn groups, I decided the best way to start would be to set up our own blog...especially since our guest speaker recommended it!

-Bill